sheff's special

"If you think you are going to bring about social change by clicking a (computer) mouse or signing an online petition or going to a black tie dinner, you are wrong. If you really want change you've got to work — build committees, build allies, build coalitions."
- Cleve Jones

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Guest Blog

Saturday, March 25, 2006

March Madness

Elias has his own life and activities, and I have to get used to it. Last month it was PhD exams. This month, it's college basketball. According to The New Agency, March Madness is a really big deal, especially now as the competition narrows. I'm bracing myself now for the upcoming NBA playoffs. After that, it should be smooth sailing until next year's Oscars.

Instead of getting mad though, I'm getting even by watching lots of movies. My best picks of late have been documentaries even though I usually prefer junky blockbusters.

For example, I was kicking and screaming (literally, I swear) about watching Elias's netflix pick, Be Here to Love Me: A Film About Townse Van Zandt. I assumed it would be boring since I was previously unfamiliar with Townse Van Zandt. Boy was I wrong. I highly recommend it. Van Zandt, if you don't know, wrote a lot of countryish music in the 70s and 80s. His songs are highly regarded among his peers, and by watching the film you'll see why. Also, there's a lot of personal drama centered around alcohol abuse and neglect -- things many relate to or find entertaining.

We saw another documentary last night, even though Inside Man is out. OMG, I LOVED Block Party, and I can't believe it wasn't my first, second, and third choice of movies to see in the theater lately.* Go see it now. Unlike Be Here to Love Me, the Dave Chappell movie, Block Party has familiar music and lots of jokes to make you laugh. It's almost entirely about good times, even with Dead Prez and Kanye West performances. The saddest part was when Lauren Hill made me never want to try to sing again. When we got home from the movie, we pulled out our older and rarely-played-anymore CDs of Jill Scott, Mos Def, The Roots, Common, and other artists featured in the film. We just didn't want the block party to end I guess.

*Sadly, but truly, both the documentaries were better than V For Vendetta which was last week's number one movie pick.

Thursday, March 23, 2006

Thanks For All My Presents

I got older recently, and people gave me things. Thank you all. I loved seeing all my buddies: high school friends like Sacha, Greg, Jacki, and Gwen; College buddies like Xui and Yolanda; Legal Aiders like Mosca and Susan; Eli's scholastic super twin David, Angelinos like Anna, Steve, Rafi, and Serene, etc. I'm not going to name everyone who showed up, but thank you ever so much for making my birthday great.

Monday, March 13, 2006

More Proof That I Moved North

I've started getting acupuncture for lower back pain. Today, I also had a cupping treatment. Elias thinks that cupping is like leaching, and he's not sure he buys it. I expect full back bliss in two weeks, or I'll join Elias's camp.

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

More Race Talk

* Mom, Judith, others who don't know what's going on in the world of popular culture: Black.White is a reality television show about a black family and a white family, who through the aid of incredible make-up and other costume, switch places to see what it's like. Cameras follow them around, and they debrief throughout, commenting on their own experiences and the performances of their counterparts. Bruno (a transracial white to black man) likes to use the N word because he thinks he now has a license to do so).

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

More Oscar Talk

Anna E., Xui, Donovan, Lucy 4, and others have commented extensively on the suckiness of Crash, but Rafi takes the cake in his most recent post. Now I know why I'll hate Crash. All the white people get easy redemption, a black man dies, and the horrible acts of people of color get equated with white power. Nice job Hollywood.

Sunday, March 05, 2006

Oscar Wrap Up

George Cloony was a surprise for Best Supporting Actor.Elias liked his performance in Syriana, but he didn't think he deserved an Oscar.I kind of agree, but I support any recognition that man gets.In a post show interview, he said he's too old to play leading man to someone Jennifer Lopez's age. It's refreshing to hear that from someone in Hollywood.

John Stewart was funny, but I think the crowd was afraid to laugh at his jokes.The Oscar campaign ads were cool, as was the instructional clip on speech making.But, I don't like Tom Hanks's hair straight.I know I'm going to hate Da Vinci Code for his hair alone. It should be curly like it was in Bosom Buddies and Bachelor Party.

I like Dolly and the sweet song she wrote for Transamerica, but she looks icky. She's too skinny and has had too much work on her face.Maybe a different make-up palate would help. Three 6 Mafia beat her out with their sweet song, "It's Hard Out Here Being a Pimp."

It was nice to see Will Ferrel and other non Oscar type performers included in the event. Lilly Tomlin and Meryl Streep were hilarious in their tribute thingie to Robert Altman.

Elias fell asleep. We both agreed we need to see Crash now that it won Best Picture.

Saturday, March 04, 2006

Tune In After The Oscars

I'm sure to be inspired after tomorrow night's show, so stay tuned.

Elias (who passed two PhD exams recently!) and I finally saw Brokeback Mountain. I found it to be powerful, and I hope Ang Lee gets some Academy love. I also really liked Good Night and Good Luck both for its story and the look of it. I didn't see Crash, but I'm curious in spite of Anna Eng's warnings.

Since I'm not really qualified to speculate further, I recommend you read the New Agency for Xui's Oscar picks.